Blue Wonder (Loschwitz Bridge)

The Blue Wonder (Blaues Wunder), officially the Loschwitz Bridge, is a steel bridge across the Elbe River in eastern Dresden, opened in 1893 and now one of the city's best-loved landmarks. It links the elegant villa districts of Blasewitz and Loschwitz and was an engineering marvel of its day. Around it you'll find riverside meadows, beer gardens, two historic hill railways, and some of the best views in the Elbe Valley.

A bridge that survived the war

Construction began in 1891, based on a design system by engineer Claus Köpcke, and the bridge opened on July 15, 1893. It is a stiffened suspension bridge with a steel truss structure and no piers in the river; the main span measures about 147 meters (482 feet), and the whole bridge is around 280 meters long.

The bridge was painted sky blue from the start. A popular story claims it was originally green and turned blue with age, but historians consider that a myth.

In May 1945, in the last days of World War II, German forces planned to blow up the bridge. Local residents prevented the demolition on May 7, 1945, which is why the original 1893 bridge still stands today.

Things to do around the bridge

• Walk across: the sidewalks run along the outside of the truss with views up and down the river.
• Photograph it from the Blasewitz meadows, the classic angle on the full span.
• Ride the Suspension Railway (Schwebebahn) from Körnerplatz to Oberloschwitz. Running since 1901, it has a viewing tower at the top station.
• Take the Funicular (Standseilbahn), in service since 1895, up to the Weißer Hirsch district.

Hill railway hours and fares

As of October 2026, according to Dresden's transit operator DVB: the Suspension Railway runs daily 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. through November 1 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. afterward, but is closed for inspection November 2–13, 2026. The Funicular closes for inspection November 16–27, 2026. A one-way ride costs €5 (reduced €3), and a same-day round trip €7 (reduced €4). The bridge itself is free to walk across at any time.

How to get there

The bridge is about 5 km (3 miles) east of the Old Town. Dresden is roughly 2 hours by train from Berlin; from the city center, take a tram to Schillerplatz, a short walk from the bridge. Paddle steamers on the Elbe also stop at Blasewitz and Loschwitz, which makes it easy to combine the bridge with a trip to Pillnitz Palace. Parking nearby is limited.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, especially at sunset, and it's a great escape from the busy Old Town. Plan two to three hours if you ride a hill railway.

Nearby

Upriver, Pillnitz Palace and its gardens are easy to reach by bus or boat. On the way back downtown, stroll through the Großer Garten park or end the day on Brühl's Terrace.